Being diagnosed with cancer is overwhelming for most people. Many people feel lost and don’t know what to do next. With improving medical treatments, the prospects for remission and recovery are better than ever. With a positive outlook, the right knowledge and some support, you can handle this trying experience as best as possible.

Steps

Part 1

Collecting Your Thoughts

1

Deal with your emotions. A cancer diagnosis is a jarring experience that can elicit a wide range of emotions such as fear, anger and depression.[1] It is best to get into the right state of mind before making treatment plans or telling friends and family.

You may be tempted to ignore and sublimate your feelings, either to soften the news for your friends and family or out fear of the future. It’s best to allow yourself to experience your emotions, even if they are unpleasant.

Don’t make any major decisions while you're feeling emotional stress. This can lead you to make decisions you could regret later on.[2]

2

Find someone you can talk to. Friends and family can be crucial in times of stress. Being with someone you feel comfortable with can lessen the burden of extreme emotions.

If you know specific people in your life may react in a way that places more stress on you, avoid them until you’re ready to deal with it.

You shouldn’t feel like you have to put on a brave face for anyone. Don’t worry about anyone else’s emotions until you feel comfortable with your own.

Many people that get diagnosed with cancer seek professional counseling.[3]

3

Take some time to comfort yourself. You will need to do a lot of planning and thinking in the coming days. But you should absolutely take some time to relax and get into a positive state of mind.

Take a short vacation somewhere that relaxes you.

Enjoy your favorite hobby until your mind is at ease.

A positive state of mind is scientifically proven to improve your body’s natural defenses against diseases like cancer.[4]

Part 2

Gathering Information

1

Ask your doctor questions. Your doctor is your first and best resource for information because they have first-hand familiarity with your lab tests. Beyond determining the basic name, size, location and rate of growth information about the tumor, you should try to think of as many questions as possible to get a thorough understanding of your condition.

Ask about lifestyle issues like hair loss, your diet and the amount of physical activity you can engage in.

There are no stupid questions when dealing with a matter this serious so don’t be afraid to ask anything that comes to mind.

Ask your doctor for a copy of your pathology report and then seek a second opinion. Even the best doctors can vary in their opinion about the nature of an illness and how to go about treating it. This is particularly important with a cancer diagnosis both because the stakes are high and because different oncologists often see the same cancer in different ways.[5]

2

Do your own research. There are often several treatment options available for a cancer diagnosis including radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. Even within these categories, there are many specific decisions that need to be made to develop a course of treatment that is right for you.

The expenses, side-effects and chances of success can vary greatly so be sure to research your options thoroughly.

If your cancer is particularly serious or rare, you may want to enter experimental drug trials to try the latest options in medical innovation.[6]

Do your own research on up-to-date, reputable websites. The best information the medical world has to offer can often change so you’ll want to make note of how recently the research or advice was produced.

Talk to someone with your type of cancer. Use the internet or a doctor’s referral to find others who have had your type of cancer. There is a lot about this experience you can only learn by going through.[7]

3

Talk to your health insurance provider. The costs associated with cancer can be very expensive.[8] Once you’re in a stable emotional state and have informed the people closest to you, one of your first calls should be to your health insurance provider.

This is urgent because it can often take some time to get approvals for procedures and you don’t want this to delay your treatment.[9]

Prepare for difficult eating by stocking up on foods that are easy to digest like soup or fruit smoothies.[18]

3

Build a support network. Few people can go through this experience alone. You may need to lean on others for a variety of tasks and to cope with stress.

Bring a friend to your doctors’ appointments. Having someone with you can help ensure you ask all the necessary questions and have emotional support to deal with any potential bad news.[19]

Think of several people you can call to talk about your emotions at any time. The stress and anxiety of your situation may feel manageable one minute and overwhelming the next so it’s nice to be able to make a quick call.

If necessary, ask someone to take over daily responsibilities like running errands or cleaning around the house.

Don’t let your pride get in the way of asking for help. If someone offers help you need, accept it.